The North Face Japan and SPIBER Debut Cutting-Edge Moon Parka
Developed after four years of trial and error.
Japanese textile research company SPIBER first joined forces with The North Face in 2015 when the duo developed a special Moon Parka prototype from artificial spider silk that was intended to go to market a year later, but didn’t. That unique garment inspired the next four years of partnership, as both companies worked together to create a follow-up that was equally thoughtful and significantly more feasible to manufacture.
Like 2016’s Moon Parka, the new model (named identically) was created with minimal carbon footprint, with a design versatile enough to both combat harsh arctic climate and prove suitable for city life. The synthetic spider silk has been replaced with a painstakingly-specific textile that includes layers of film that’s as moisture permeable, waterproof and warm as The North Face’s 900 fill down. The North Face reports that the fabric has been put through countless strenuous tests to ensure maximum durability and reliability.
Inspired by the mantra of “DO MORE WITH LESS,” the futuristic layer is realized in tonal “Moon Gold.” The jacket boasts dual zipper closure, two pockets and a co-branded patch inside the neck and on the left sleeve. Inside, an image of the Earth is printed atop the black lining, reinforcing the garment’s pollution-conscious creation. Two more pockets and toggles for adjusting the hood are also located internally, granting the understated garment another layer of functionality.
The Moon Parka is only available through lottery entry on Spiber’s site, with retail weighing in at ¥150,000 JPY (approximately $1,410 USD). Watch the process of creating the pair’s first Moon Parka below.
Most recently, Junya Watanabe rejoined The North Face Japan for another backpack-equipped jacket.
